How getting involved in performing arts can help your child

At Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, we strive to not only provide incredible entertainment but also to enrich the minds of our audience. Part of that includes grabbing the attention of young people.

Studies have shown that involvement in the arts is associated with improvement in math, reading, critical thinking, problem-solving and more. The benefits don’t end in the classroom, however.

Those that enroll in the arts, whether music, dance or drama, tend to have more advanced self-presentation skills than their peers. In turn, that leads to greater confidence and poise in stressful situations.

The arts offer an ideal platform for self-expression. For example, children that play an instrument often find their music to be therapeutic. That means that while they may not be mature enough to talk yet about emotions like an adult, they can still express them in a highly effective manner.

Performing arts makes great exercise. Think about how physically fit a singer must be to hold notes for an extended period of time!

Problem-solving and perseverance can come from being involved in the arts. Let’s say that your child is involved in a play. From start to finish, they will have to learn collaboration and develop a number of reasoning and critical thinking skills, in addition to motivation and concentration.

Being a part of the arts can promote empathy and compassion. You might be thinking to yourself that all of the previously mentioned benefits can be attained by getting your child into sports. That may be true, but performing arts can also grow your child’s interpersonal skills. As opposed to winning and losing, the arts deals primarily with working toward a performance goal, as well as the child’s individual development throughout the process.

Educational Outreach

We want to provide every student in the Tri-Valley with a chance to experience the arts through educational activities. That’s why LVPAC presents performances at schools and at the Bankhead Theater and provides free monthly events, workshops, master classes with visiting artists and so many more fun opportunities.

As you’ll see on our Educational Outreach page, LVPAC funds The Easy Bay Jazz All-Stars, as well as other programs in the area. Students can enjoy tickets to the family-friendly Bankhead Theater events for just $16.

Recent Educational Outreach Events

Run Boy Run concert – In November, our audience enjoyed a performance by the winners of the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest. Folks of all ages loves the sound of the traditional style of the Appalachian South.

A master class with Scottish vocalist, Julie Fowlis, whose voice was featured in Disney’s Brave.

Family holiday performance – This event included performances by Livermore-Amador Symphony, Cantabella Children’s Chorus and Valley Dance Theatre. Children were also invited to get up close and personal with the musician’s instruments following the performance.

Christmas ornament craft workshop – LVPAC hosted this event Dec. 14 and it was a huge success as children and their parents created homemade ornaments for the holiday season.

If your child is interested in the performing arts, LVPAC has plenty of opportunities for them to get started. Feel free to contact us for more information.

And don’t forget that 2017 will be filled with unforgettable operas, ballet, theatre, concerts, holiday events and more.